Mainsail outhaul



July 1, 1969 W. J. HORGAN, JR 3,452,700

I MAINSAIL OUTHAUL I Filed July 10, 1967 Sheet of 2 Fig.6

82a 83a 70 88 40a ATTORNEYS.

July 1, 1969 w. J. HORGAN, JR

MAINSAIL OUTHAUL z of 2 Sheet Filed July 10, 1967 N Ql N? Q Q? w o- INVENTOR. WILLIAM J. HORGAN, JR.

I ZAQM ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent US. Cl. 114-404 13 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A lever arm member is pivotally secured to the bottom or side of a boom extending from a mast. At the free end of the lever arm member there is a drum mounted for rotation about its axis to take-up and play-out a cable which runs along the bottom or side of the boom to the outboard end of the sail. A ratchet and pawl control the wound position of the cable on the drum. The pawl is provided with a quick release mechanism, so that the cable may be played out quickly when the pawl is disengaged from the ratchet. A crank is provided which is pivotally mounted in a hub, the hub being retained in the ratchet housing for rotation therein about its axis coincident with the axis of the drum and ratchet. Means are provided on the crank and the ratchet to permit the crank to engage the ratchet and turn the drum. The crank may be easily disengaged from the ratchet and reoriented to its normal position where it can be snapped onto the ratchet housing at its outer end for temporary storage. The lever arm is provided with means to permit the arm to be held in each of two toggle positions. By the throw of the lever, the cable may be played out or quickly pulled in to predetermined positions.

Cross-references to related application Reference is made to my copending application Ser. No. 554,873, filed June 2, 1966, now abandoned.

Background of the invention This invention relates generally to fittings for sail boats, and more particularly, to a mainsail outhaul for small sail boats particularly adapted for use in racing.

When sailing a boat, at times it is desirable to draw the sail tight, and at other times it is desirable to let the sail go somewhat slack. If the boat is in a race, it is important to control accurately the change from a tight to slack sail and vice versa, and it is equally important to make the change quickly. Thus, the mainsail outhaul device must be preset before the race starts to avoid the necessity of changing the setting during the race. Likewise, the outhaul mechanism should be located proximate to the connection of the boom to the mast, so as to be in easy reach of the crew members. At the same time the device should be trim, compact, and lightweight, as well as, easy to operate and adjust.

Summary of the invention The present invention covers a mainsail outhaul device comprising a lever means having a sail cable takeup and release means thereon capable of relative fine adjustment and separate means for adjusting the slack length of the cable whereby either a slack or a taut position of the cable can be produced by simply throwing the lever to either of two positions.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention, means are provided on the take-up and release means to adjust the take-up of the cable, which means include a crank and handle which snap out for ready use and snap back for temporary storage, so as not to interfere with the operation of the lever means.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide an improved mainsail outhaul for small sail boats, which outhaul is operable to quickly let a tight sail go slack and to quickly draw a slack sail tight.

Another object is to provide an outhaul capable of being preset for drawing the sail tight within a selected degree of tightness, and for release of the sail to provide a selected degree of slack.

Another object is to provide such an outhaul which, while holding the sail tight, is operable for drawing the sail even tighter or for increasing the slack.

Another object is to provide such an outhaul with toggle means which locks when the sail is drawn tight.

Another object is to provide such an outhaul which is operable repeatedly without the necessity for being readjusted.

Another object of this invention is to provide in such an outhaul adjustable means for drawing the sail tight which adjustable means are compact and out-of-the-way so as not to interfere with the operation of the outhaul.

Brief description. of the drawings Other objects of the invention will become apparent when the following description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial side elevation of a small sail boat illustrating the invention in its environment;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the mainsail outhaul shown in its condition when the sail is taut;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the outhaul shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 2, but shows the outhaul in its condition when the sail is slack;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken as indicated by the lines and arrows VV which appear in FIGS. 2 and 3 showing some of the parts in phantom alternate position;

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view taken as indicated by the lines and arrows VI-VI which appear in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken as indicated by the lines and arrows VIIVII which appear in FIGS. 2 and 3; and

FIG. 8 is a partial plan view of a portion of the device similar to that shown in FIG. 3, showing the parts in phantom and alternate positions.

Description of the preferred embodiments Although specific forms of the invention have been selected for illustration in the drawings, and the following description is drawn in specific terms for the purpose of describing these forms of the invention, this description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

Referring to FIG. 1, the hull of the boat, designated 10, supports an upright mast 12 from which there extends horizontally a boom 14. Mounted by the mast 12 and boom 14 is a mainsail 1-6. Aflixed to the mast 12, immediately above the boom 14, is a pulley 18. Aflixed to the top of the mast 12 is a pulley 20. Trained about the pulleys 18 and 20 is a cable 22 opposite end portions of which are aflixed to the sail 16, as at 24 and 26. Afford to the extremity of the boom 14 is a pulley 28, and trained about the pulley 28 is a cable 30 attached to the sail 16, as at 32, and to an outhaul mechanism designated 34.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the outhaul mechanism 34 comprises a stainless steel lever arm designated 36 having a web 38 and opposite side flanges 40a and 40b. A stainless steel channel bracket 41 secures one end of the lever arm to the boom 14 for rotation about the pivot or axis of rotation 42. The channel bracket 41 is secured to the underside of the boom 14 by means of screws 44.

Mounted within the channel bracket are spring bearing plates 45a and 45b, preferably made of nylon or other suitable flexible bearing material. Two spring plates are provided, one on each side of the channel bracket. The lever arm bears against the raised faces of the main bearing portions 46a and 4612 respectively of each spring bearing plate. Stainless steel nuts 47a and 47b, each having a rounded head, pass through respective flanges of the lever arm. Each nut is engaged by a screw which draws the nut tightly against the channel bracket, so as to retain the lever arm and spring bearing plates in the channel bracket, while permitting rotation of the lever arm about the pivot 42.

At either end of each spring bearing plate 45a and 4517, there is a hole (as at 48a, 48b, 48c, and 48d) passing through the flexible flanges 49a, 49b, 49c, and 49d which extend outwardly from the main bearing portions 46a and 46b. It is to be noted that each flange is supported at the inner side and the bottom (see FIG. but is free of support on the top and outer edge. Each side flange of the lever arm has fixedly mounted therein a stainless steel button 50a and 5012, which is spaced with respect to the axis of rotation 42 so that the outer end of the button will fit in the hole at either end of the spring bearing plate 45a and 45b respectively depending on the position of the lever arm, as shown by comparison in FIGS. 2 and 4.

When it is desired to move the lever arm from one extreme position to the other, force is exerted on the free end (designated 51) of the lever arm so as to cause it to be pivoted about the axis of rotation 42. This force causes the buttons 50a and 50b to move out of their respective holes in the ends of the flanges. The substantially round head of the button, together with the flexibility and smooth, slippery surface of the nylon flange easily facilitates this action. As the button rides up the inner surface of the flange, the flange is depressed outwardly, as shown in phantom in FIG. 5. When the button finally clears the flange, the flange will return to its original position. Similarly, as the lever is continued in its arcuate path, the buttons will engage the opposite flanges forcing the flanges apart until the buttons engage the holes in those flanges. Thus, the outhaul device is provided with toggle means which locks in place in either of two extreme positions.

Toward the outer or free end 51 of the lever arm there is a flared or bowed out portion which forms a mounting means for the ratchet housing 55. The ratchet housing itself is made of nylon or other suitable bearing material and is disposed to fit snugly within the outer portion of the lever arm; wherein it is retained by the screws 56, FIG. 2. The ratchet housing retains an integrally formed ratchet and drum fitting (designated 57, FIG. 2) with a driven nut portion 58 formed thereon. The ratchet and drum fitting is preferably made of bronze or other corrosion resistant material. A nylon flange bushing 59 is retained in a hole in the web 38 of. the lever arm in a snug fit to form a bearing for the lower bearing portion of the fitting S7. The fitting is disposed in the flange bushing 59 to rotate therein about a centrally disposed axis.

The fitting 57 comprises a drum portion 60, a ratchet portion 61, and a driven nut portion 58. The drum portion 60 is substantially cylindrical and coaxial with the fitting and terminates in a flange 62 at the lower end thereof, which bears upon the flange 59a of the flange bushing 59. The other end of the drum terminates in the radial side of the ratchet itself. The drum has a hole 63 (FIG. 6) therein which is flared outwardly; which hole is designed to receive the cable 30 for the sail 16. The cable extends through the hole 63 and is anchored therein by means of clamp 64 to prevent the cable from being retracted from the hole. The cable passes through an open ended slot 65 in the ratchet housing from whence it proceeds along the boom to be attached to the sail at 32. It will be apparent that when the ratchet and drum fitting is rotated, in the clockwise direction when viewed as in FIG. 6, the cable 30 will be wound onto the drum portion 60.

The ratchet portion 61 is coaxial with the fitting and has a series of teeth 70 thereon. Retained in sliding engagement in a slot 71 in the ratchet housing 55 is a pawl 72. The pawl is spring biased toward the ratchet portion 61 by the coil spring 73, which is retained in the hole 74 in the end of the pawl remote from the ratchet and extends therefrom to contact the rearward wall 75 of the slot 71. The front face 76 of the pawl is angled complementary to the angle of the teeth on the ratchet and engages the teeth as shown in FIG. 6, so that as the ratchet rotates clockwise the pawl moves rearwardly in the slot 71 and allows the drum to take up the cable 30. The spring biased pawl prevents rotation of the ratchet and drum fitting 57 in the counterclockwise direction.

In order to release the ratchet mechanism, a release lever 80 is provided mounted to the web 38 of the lever arm 36 for rotation about a pin 81. The cars 8211 and 82b of the lever 80 protrude through slots 83a and 83b in the flanges 40a and 40b respectively of the lever arm 36 to such a distance that they may be engaged and manipulated by the fingers of a crew member. A cammed surface 8011 on the lever 80 engages the wall 84 of the slot 85 in the pawl, so that as one rotates the lever 80 about the pin 81 by means of the extended ears 82a and 82b, the cammed surface contacts the surface of the slot in the pawl and moves the pawl in its slot 71 in the ratchet housing to a point where it releases the ratchet thereby allowing the drum to rotate in a counterclockwise direction.

Referring to FIG. 2, extending above the ratchet portion 61 of the fitting 57, is a cylindrical portion 88. Extending from the end surface of this cylindrical portion is a driven nut portion 58 shaped substantially in the form of a frustum of a pyramid. The cylindrical portion 88 is in contact with the bearing surface *86 of the ratchet housing, so as to rotate therein in engagement therewith. The cylindrical portion 88 in part extends above this bearing surface to receive a stainless steel hub 90, The hub is retained by a snap ring 91, which engages an annular groove 92 in the cylindrical portion 88. The snap ring extends outwardly over the inwardly extending flange portion a of the hub 90 to retain the hub axially. The hub is free to rotate about the upwardly extending cylindrical portion of the fitting in the relieved portion of the ratchet housing.

Referring, as needed to FIGS. 2, 7 and 8, the hub has an upraised annular flange 93 thereon formed integrally therewith. A pair of oppositely disposed ears 94a and 94b extend upwardly from said flange. One side 93a (FIG. 2) of the annular flange 93 in the area between the upwardly extending ears is slightly higher than the other side 93b (FIG. 2) and the face of this portion (93a) of the flange 93 is angled in a plane toward the center of the hub. The slight rise is sufficient to carry this portion of the flange above the surface of the ratchet housing. The angled surface of this portion of the flange will be discussed more fully in connection with the operation of the crank 100.

The cars of the hub contain vertically extending blind grooves 97 which extend through the bottom of the hub. These grooves are disposed off center from a plane through the central axis of the hub normal to the ears 94a and 94b. The grooves retain bearing members 98a and 98b, which extend outwardly from the base of the crank 100. Disposed inwardly of these members is the yoke (designated 101) of the crank 100, which yoke has an internal configuration particularly suited to engagement with the truncated driven nut portion 58. Proceeding from points (as at 102a and 10215, FIG. 3) on either side of the inner part of the yoke, which points are spaced from the center line (VIIVII, FIG. 3) of the bearing members 98a and 9812, the inner surfaces 103a and 10315 of the yoke extend to an apex 104. These surfaces are angled planes which are complementary to the planes forming the walls of the truncated pyramid forming the driven nut portion 58.

Referring to the alternate positions of the crank in FIG. 8, note that when the crank 100 is raised from its phantom position by rotating it in a vertical plane about its bearing members 98a and 98b, it can be rotated in a generally circular orbit as shown by the arrows, by means of the hub 90. So long as the yoke 101 does not engage the truncated driven nut, the hub is free to rotate either clockwise or counterclockwise about the center of the ratchet and drum fitting 57. If the crank 100 is rotated in a vertical plane so that the apex 104 of the slanted internal sides of the yoke registers with the edge formed by two adjoining sides of the truncated pyramid, (i.e., the crank is flipped over as in FIG. 2 or FIG. '8), then the internal sides of the yoke of the crank will be in engagement with the upwardly extending surfaces of the truncated pyramid. In this position, the crank 100 can be used to wind the cable 30 onto the drum portion 60.

Referring to FIG. 2, in order to drive the ratchet and drum fitting 57 through the driven nut portion 58, the crank is provided with a handle 110 mounted at the outer or free end 108 thereof. The handle is aflixed to the free end 108 of the crank 100 by means of a shoulder screw 111. Retained between the handle 110 and the outer end of the crank is a snap ring 112 preferably made of nylon or other suitable bearing material displaying similar flexing properties. The fit between the shoulder screw 111 and the outer end 108 of the crank is such that the handle 110 is free to rotate rather than being held snugly against the crank. This permits ease in operation when a crew member grabs the handle 110 to turn the crank 100 and wind up the cable; his grip on the handle can remain firm, since as the crank is being rotated the handle will rotate on the bearing surface of the shoulder screw.

The annular snap ring 112 has an upwardly extending annular flange with an outwardly disposed .annular lip 113. The annular flange 115 of the snap ring is such that it is spaced both axially and radially from the stepped cylindrical portion of the handle. The annular lip 113 is conical as shown. The function of the lip 113 may be understood by referring to FIG. 2, wherein it will be noted that with the crank 100 and handle 110 in its temporary storage position, the inner edge of the lip engages the outer arcuate stepped end 114 of the ratchet housing. The ratchet housing and the snap ring 112 are preferably made of the same flexible, slippery material, and the lip 113 extends outwardly only a small dis tance, so that only a small force is needed to disengage the snap ring from the outer end of the ratchet housing. At the same time the lip is sufiicient to retain the handle when it is not being used.

When the crank 100 is moved to its position of engagement with the truncated portion 58 of the fitting 57 (as in FIG. 2, wherein the crank is shown in phantom alternate position), the angled shoulder of the upwardly extending flange 93a on the hub, contacts the crank so that it is at a slight angle to the overall longitudinal axis of the lever arm; and as the crank is rotated it will clear the other portions of the lever arm. In this position, the crank when rotated will rotate the ratchet and drum fitting to which it is engaged, and thereby take up the sail cable 30 on the drum portion. When .suflicient tension has been applied to the sail cable, the crank is pivoted about the bearing members 98a and 98b, so that it is disengaged from the truncated driven nut portion 58. In this disengaged position it is free to rotate (as shown by the arrows in FIG. 8); the hub being free to rotate about the extended cylindrical portion 88 of the ratchet and drum fitting. The crank is then rotated until it is disposed approximately along the axis of the lever arm at which point the snap ring 112 is snapped into engagement with the ratchet housing.

If it is desired to release the tension on the cable completely, the ears of the release lever can be utilized as previously described to disengage the pawl from the ratchet, and allow the ratchet mechanism to freely turn.

In the course of a race, as previously explained, it is desirable to have set positions for the sail. Normally, there is no need to readjust the ratchet at any time during the race if the wind and velocity remains fairly constant. Of course, if the wind and velocity change, the ratchet may be adjusted in the manner indicated hereinbefore to meet these changed conditions.

The first leg of the race is usually the beat, during which the sail should be tight. Therefore, before the race starts, the lever arm is thrown into its extreme taut position (as in FIG. 2) and the cable 30 is retracted or drawn inboard toward the mast 12 to remove the slack from the mainsail. This is accomplished by engaging the crank to the truncated driven nut portion, and winding the cable onto the drum. After sufiicient slack has been taken up, the pawl and the teeth of the ratchet wheel coact to secure the drum against turning in an unwinding direction.

If per chance too much slack has been taken out of the sail and instead of removing the slack it is desired to increase the slack, finger pressure may be applied to the ears of the release mechanism to move the pawl away from the ratchet against the influence of the spring. With the pawl thus disengaged from the teeth of the ratchet wheel and the cable being under tension from the sail, the cable will be played out in an unwinding direction from the drum to thus provide additional slack.

The second and third legs of the race are usually runs or reaches, during which the sail should be slack. This calls for the second extreme position of the lever arm, as shown in FIG. 4. The change from the taut position to the slack position is made by simply pulling the lever arm downwardly and away from the boom through an angle of approximately 180". In the new position it will be noted that the lever arm is again locked by the buttons 50a and 50b in the holes 48a and 48d respectively in the flanges. As a consequence of this action, the cable 30 is extended toward the end of the boom 14 and the mainsail goes slack.

In order to provide a preselected degree of slack, a sleeve is disposed in the channel between the flanges 40a and 40b of the lever .arm. The sleeve is preferably made of nylon or other suitable bearing material and is disposed to rotate about a threaded pin 121, which passes through the flange 40a and engages the opposite flange 40b. A slot in the threaded pin enables it to be removed with a screwdriver or other similar instrument, thereby permitting the sleeve to be moved from one predetermined position to another along the lever arm. Various alternate positions are indicated by the holes 122a, 122b and 1220, shown in FIG. 2. It will be apparent then, that both the taut position of the cable and the slack position of the cable can be predetermined.

The next leg of the race is normally a repeat of the first leg of the race and usually is a beat. Here again the lever is thrown through the taut position to again retract the cable.

I claim:

1. In a sail boat having a mast and boom, and a sail disposed between said mast and boom and mounted therto by suitable means including cables, an outhaul fitting for the sail of said boat, comprising:

(a) mounting means for mounting said fitting to said boat;

(b) a lever articulated about said mounting means;

(c) rotatable take-up means mounted on the free end of said lever and connected to one of said cables for taking up said cable to a plurality of adjustably predetermined positions; and

(d) said take-up means and said lever coacting to form means to adjust the tension in said cable in a plurality of positions.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said take-up means comprises a drum connected to said cable, crank means disposed to engage said drum for rotating said drum to take-up said cable, ratchet means for engaging said drum from letting out said cable once said drum has been rotated to take-up cable.

3. An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said ratchet means comprises a ratchet, and a pawl mounted for sliding engagement in said lever to engage said ratchet to permit rotation in one direction only.

4. An apparatus as in claim 3 wherein hand operated release means are mounted on said lever in engagement with said pawl for releasing said pawl from engagement with said ratchet, whereby when said ratchet is released, said drum may freely rotate to playout said cable.

5. An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said crank means comprises: a crank; and means articulating said crank to said drum.

6. An apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said crank comprises: a lever portion articulated to said drum at one end thereof and having a free end extending therefrom; and a handle rotatably mounted to the free end of said lever portion.

7. An apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said means articulating said crank to said drum comprises: a hub in engagement with said drum and rotatable thereabout; and means articulating said crank to said hub.

8. An apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said hub includes a driven fitting formed in a shape of a truncated pyramid extending from said hub; said crank includes a base portion forming a yoke, said yoke having protrusions extending therefrom, said hub having mating ears thereon for receiving said protrusions whereby said crank may be articulated about said hub, said yoke having; formed thereon mating surfaces for engaging said truncated pyramid, said protrusions having an axis of articulation spaced from said driven fitting whereby said yoke may be rotated into positions of engagement and nonengagement with said driven fitting.

9. An apparatus as in claim 5 wherein releasable retaining means are disposed on said crank to engage the lever and retain the crank when not in use, said means being releasable on finger pressure.

10. In a sail boat having a mast and boom, and a sail disposed between said mast and boom and mounted thereto by suitable means including cables, an outhaul fitting for the sail of said boat, comprising:

(a) mounting means for mounting said fitting to said boat;

(b) a lever articulated about said mounting means and connected along the free end portion thereof spaced from said articulated portion thereof to one of said cables;

(c) positioning means on said lever and said mounting means and co-acting therewith to adjust the tension in said cable by fixing the extent of articulation of said lever in a plurality of positions; and

(d) slack positioning means disposed on said lever between the connection with said cable and the articulated portion thereof to engage said cable when the lever has been articulated about said mounting means so that said sail is in a slack position.

11. An apparatus as in claim 10 wherein means are provided on said lever to adjust said slack positioning means to a plurality of predetermined positions.

12. An apparatus as in claim 11 wherein said slack positioning means comprises: a roller; and mounting means mounting said roller to said lever, said lever having a plurality of predetermined positions for said mounting means.

13. In a sail boat having a mast and boom, and a sail disposed between said mast and boom and mounted thereto by suitable means including cables, an outhaul fitting for the sail of said boat, comprising:

(a) mounting means for mounting said fitting to said boat comprising a rigid portion extending from a fixedly mounted base portion, and bearing members held in fixed engagement with said rigid portion;

(b) a lever articulated about said mounting means and connected along its free end portion spaced from said articulated portion to at least one of said cables, said bearing members bearing against said lever; and

(c) positioning means on said lever and said mounting means coacting to fix the extent of articulation of said lever, comprising: flexible flanges extending from each of said bearing members, each of said flanges having a hole therein, and mating means on said lever comprising button means disposed in fixed engagement with said lever and spaced along said lever .to engage appropriate holes in said flexible flanges upon articulation of said lever.

FOREIGN PATENTS 8/ 1938 Great Britain.

TRYGVE M. BLIX, Primary Examiner. 

